Leaves and Debris Are No Match For The Stihl BGA 86 Cordless Leaf Blower
Stihl holds a pretty serious reputation as one of the top brands in lawn care equipment across the country, and for good reason! With the rising demand for battery-powered alternatives, Stihl is ready to meet the needs of busy Pros as well as homeowners. Today, I’m taking a closer look at the Stihl BGA 86 Cordless Leaf Blower to give you an idea of what to expect from this cordless lineup.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Quiet operation
- Extendable nozzle
- Inline fan design
Cons
- No cruise control
- No turbo mode
Stihl BGA 86 Cordless Leaf blower Performance
- Blowing Force: 15 N
- Air Speed: 154 mph
- Air Flow: 429 CFM
- Estimated Runtime: 21 min.
Blowing Force
As Stihl’s current leader in residential handheld battery-powered blowers, it produces a peak 429 CFM with up to 154 MPH in total air speed. These combine for an impressive 15 Newtons of blowing force. Stihl equipped this blower with an adjustable concentrator nozzle that allows you to direct airflow right where you need it most.
One big difference between the BGA 86 and some commercial models is the lack of a metal scraper ring at the end of the nozzle to help remove wet, or stubborn debris. This isn’t a huge deal, but it’s something
Runtime
Stihl gives us an estimated runtime of 21 minutes, which is pretty good considering its power level. Our in-house testing yielded a total runtime of 22 minutes and 18 seconds. I did notice a slight drop in power right around the 18-minute mark that lasted until the battery eventually gave out. That’s plenty of trigger time to blow off your driveway and sidewalks after mowing, or even clearing out seasonal leaves and debris.
Stihl BGA 86 Cordless Leaf blower Design Notes
- Model: Stihl BGA 86
- Power Source: Stihl 36V battery
- Weight: 6.2 lbs (bare), 10.25 lbs (with kitted 7.2Ah battery)
- Length: 38.5 in.
- Noise Level: 58 dBA (ANSI), 74 dBA (from operator’s ear)
Size and Weight
This blower weighs in at 6.2 pounds as a bare tool and 10.25 pounds with the kitted AP300S 7.2Ah battery. It measures 38.5 inches with the concentrator nozzle retracted, and 46.25 inches with the nozzle fully extended.
Personally, I really enjoy Stihl’s handheld design because it makes for a very comfortable working angle. The nozzle naturally aims downward, so it’s much easier on your wrist than some of the other inline models I’ve tested.
Grip Design
Stihl didn’t stray too far from the pack with their grip design. They utilize a smooth rubber overmolded grip, a variable speed trigger, a beaver tail safety, as well as an additional thumb safety to help prevent accidental activation. To me, the extra thumb safety feels a little unnecessary, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Quiet Operation
Like we’re seeing with other manufacturers, Stihl is placing a big emphasis on quieter operation. This blower features a foam liner inside the rear air intake that helps dampen the overall noise level. Stihl touts 58 decibels for this model, based on ANSI standards.
When measured from my ear, roughly 36 inches away, this blower tops out at 74 decibels at full throttle. This is remarkably quiet, considering many of the blowers I test easily eclipse 85+ decibels.
Additional Features
- Hanging slot for vertical storage
- IPX4 rated
Stihl BGA 86 Cordless Leaf blower Price
The Stihl BGA 86 retails for $279 as a bare tool and $689.99 as a kit. The kit includes an AP300S 7.2Ah battery and a single port AL301 rapid charger. Stihl backs this blower and the accompanying battery with a 3-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Stihl BGA 86 cordless leaf blower is designed for homeowners who are wanting to shift away from gas-powered equipment. It’s a great option for blowing off hard surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, as well as moving broadleaf debris around the yard for collection. It’s not quite as effective when it comes to wet debris, but I think the reduced noise level is a very reasonable tradeoff.
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